Easy ideas for bringing people together

Cheers to Sergio Alcubilla for using VolunteerSpot!

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is the state’s oldest and largest non-profit, public interest law firm with offices statewide; Legal Aid helps ensure justice and fairness for all by providing civil legal aid to the most vulnerable in our society.

Please tell us about your organization and your volunteer needs:

In working towards the vision of building a just society; we want to first help make the legal system a little less intimidating by providing easy to understand legal forms and brochures, including online forms that people can use when they go to court. Second, we help people help themselves by providing legal assistance so people can better know their rights and know how to solve their legal problems. Finally, we try to level the playing field by providing legal representation to those that need it the most. Volunteer attorneys and many of the major law firms have adopted a month to volunteer at the self-help center and in 2014, nearly 300 volunteer attorneys have provided their services pro bono.

Explain how you use VolunteerSpot to coordinate these volunteers.

After an attorney completes training, they are sent a link to the VolunteerSpot on-line sign up form. Once there, they can choose an available shift during the month they volunteer. VolunteerSpot works perfectly to send a reminder email to the attorney about their upcoming shift. Finally, the monthly roster can be printed or saved for reporting purposes. We also use VolunteerSpot to send thank you notes to our volunteers after their shifts.

What’s one piece of advice you have for volunteers or their leaders out there?

Volunteer time is precious and the service hours that volunteers put in shouldn’t be taken for granted. Show appreciation to your volunteers and how much you value their time as much as possible.

Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?

It was a recommendation from a staff member who used it before. With limited funding to help the public, we needed to find ways to be resourceful in our approach. We’ve used VolunteerSpot for over 3 years now to help manage the number of volunteers that we have. It’s been such a great resource for a non-profit, public interest law firm like ours!

Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your organization or volunteering?

According to a recent national survey on Access to Justice, Hawaii ranks # 1 in providing help to self-represented litigants and is ranked in the top 5 overall on improving Access to Justice because of the work of volunteer attorneys and our court self-help centers. VolunteerSpot has played an integral role in this program’s success and in helping expand access to justice for those in need.

We salute Sergio and all the other teachers and volunteers making a difference in their communities. Check out how VolunteerSpot’s Volunteer Software can save you time and stress and boost parent involvement in your school. Take a tour today!

White Dresses and Espadrilles

Thanks to Peachy Magazine for this fabulous guest post!

Summer is almost here and temperatures are rising. We can’t think of a better way to stay cool and look great than a white dress paired with espadrilles. With so many styles from which to choose, you are sure to find a favorite or two. Must-haves for summer!

Each week , Peachy the Magazine’s style experts share fashion trends and classic favorites. Subscribers receive twice-weekly newsletters featuring exclusive Look of the Week and Splurge or Steal style edits to help keep you looking your best. In addition, our bi-monthly digital magazine will take you inside gorgeous homes, walk you through verdant gardens, entice you with delicious food and drinks, introduce you to beautiful art and architecture, and much more.

Your FREE subscription to Peachy the Magazine includes exclusive email content. Subscribe today using the button below and receive the Best of Peachy recipe collection PDF which contains twenty-four of our favorite cocktail, appetizer and dessert recipes.

Click the button below to receive your free subscription to Peachy the Magazine. In addition to the bi-monthly magazine, you will receive our twice-weekly style newsletters and the exclusive Best of Peachy recipe collection PDF.

Fun Ideas & Planning Resources for Community Gardens

Community Gardens grow so much more than food - they help neighborhoods and cities blossom, they nourish fruitful partnerships and help feed hungry tummies (and minds)! Dig in to these 8 unique ideas for your Community Garden this season:

1. Online Volunteer Scheduling: Use free online sign-ups with reminders to coordinate all your community garden helpers and CSA volunteers. Quick, intuitive scheduling tools make it easy for Garden organizers to recruit help; and 24/7 access from a computer or smartphone get more people involved and signing up. Plus, automated reminders and eCalendar syncing keep everyone on track! Get started today.

2. Garden Event Days: Integrate creative programming efforts into your Community Garden initiative this season! Whether it's a Family Fun Day at the garden where kids and parents get to help plant and water, or simply a Harvest event where community members can come help pick ripe fruits and veggies – it’ll be an event for everyone to enjoy!

3. Vertical Gardening: Short on space but long on plants? Try vertical gardening to add flourish and flare to your garden without plotting out another tract. Tomato and gourd plants do well in a vertical environment with the proper structure and care. Check out The Gardening Cook for ideas.

4. Rock Garden Signs: Add color and pizzazz to the variety of plants in your Community Garden by designating each with it's own painted rock detailing what type of plant or food it is. Encourage family volunteers and children to take part in this project - check out this great example from Lu Bird Baby.

Image via LuBirdBaby

5. Custom Flower Pots: Put more life into gardening by creating your own custom-made flowerpots. Lead a short art class before your attendees get started on planting. From different shapes to artwork, there are tons of ways to make your flowerpot your own. Here are some ideas to offer you some inspiration from Let the Children Play.

6. Garden Sanctuary: There’s no better way to create the perfect community space than to allow the actual community to contribute. Conjure up your perfect community garden for everyone to enjoy by calling members to help out. From stone walkways to custom flowerpots, your neighborhood will have the perfect spot! Check out The Inspired Room for tips.

7. Spread the Word: Trying to recruit garden helpers? Looking for plant donations? Connect with local organizations, restaurants and individuals in the community who could help boost your garden's productivity. Share your social handles for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with your current Garden group - and follow other groups and community leaders on theirs. Socialize your Garden events, post sign-up links on Twitter and Facebook.

8. Plant a Row for the Hungry: Add a special row of nutrient-rich veggies and fruits to your garden that is specifically designated for donating to a local homeless shelter or food bank. Coordinate volunteers to pick and deliver these goodies 2 or 3 times a month, and know where to take the special deliveries.

Organizing Walkathon, Fun Run & 5K Volunteers

Training for a 5k? Try training to organize one! From managing tactical event details to recruiting and organizing volunteers and sponsors, coordinating an outdoor race or athletic fundraiser can really take the wind out of you. Stress less and save time finding all the help you need with free online sign-ups from VolunteerSpot!

24/7 access from a computer or mobile device makes signing up to help with this year's 5K or Fun Run a breeze, not to mention eCalendar syncing and automated email reminders! Volunteers and helpers will thank you for making it so easy to get involved.

Charity Race Sign-Up (Mobile View)

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Charity Race Sign-Up (Desktop View)

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In addition to intuitive and quick scheduling tools, volunteer coordinators have access to:

Cheers to Corliss Davis for using VolunteerSpot for her organization!

Corliss Davis shares how she utilizes VolunteerSpot for a number of things in preparing for The Belfast, Maine Window Dressers Project. She encourages others to do their part too!

Please tell us about your organization and your volunteer needs.

The Belfast, Maine Window Dressers project builds interior storm windows under the direction of the Window Dressers headquarters in Rockland, Maine. 2015 will be our fourth year making these polyolefin-wrapped pine frames to keep both paying and charity customers warmer, saving them money on heating bills, and reducing their carbon emissions. In 2014 we had about 100 volunteers - steering committee, customer volunteers, and others. We built frames using drills and glue and we wrapped and sealed finished frames using two kinds of tape, plastic sheets, hair dryers, and weather-stripping foam.

Explain how you use VolunteerSpot to coordinate these volunteers.

We ask all customers to volunteer. We gave out the link to the VolunteerSpot site and our volunteers signed up to work four-hour shifts or to bring lunch for the volunteers.

Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?

Our UU Church here in Belfast uses VolunteerSpot as does the Window Dressers headquarters.

What’s one piece of advice you have for volunteers or their leaders out there?

Go for it! Volunteering is what makes life worthwhile!

Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your organization or volunteering?

This is an all-around positive project. It does good for members of our community; it creates a cleaner and greener world; and it is a wonderful opportunity for people to work together!

We salute Corliss and all the other teachers and volunteers making a difference in their communities. Check out how VolunteerSpot’s Volunteer Software can save you time and stress and boost parent involvement in your school. Take a tour today!

School Supplies Made Easy

Stock up now and save later with bundle school supplies from our friends at SchoolToolBox.com! Check out our top 5 favorite things about shopping at SchoolToolBox.com >>

It’s your one-stop-shop for school supplies, and it’s always open! No more clipping coupons, wading through back to school shoppers or hitting 4 different stores just to find what Timmy needs for third grade; SchoolToolBox.com is your time-saving back to school shopping solution. Search for your school on their website to order school supplies in bulk or shop on your own, it’s easy!

SchoolToolBox.com gives back! For every box they deliver, SchoolToolBox.com delivers one meal to Feed My Starving Children, a non-profit organization that packs and ships life-saving meals to malnourished children around the world. Learn more

School supplies are guaranteed! Forget about saving those endless school supply receipts; SchoolToolBox.com offers school supplies from brands you trust and a guarantee on all supplies for an entire school year.

Teachers can create wish lists! Your son or daughter’s teacher can create a school supplies list on SchoolToolBox.com that class parents can search for and donate to – easy! On average, teachers spend $485 of their own money on school supplies every year. SchoolToolBox.com makes it easy for class families to help ship supplies directly to the teacher at the beginning of the year.

It’s easy to become a “sponsor” for your school: SchoolToolBox.com gives school-parent groups, or Sponsors, all the tools they need to set up a portal and get their school registered with school supply lists online. With the Sponsor Portal, Sponsors can build, edit or view their customized supply lists, track sales and order details, and Access helpful flyers, PDFs and forms. Learn more

Join Alex’s Lemonade Days This June

As parents, we know those sunny summer months can quickly fill up with playdates, vacations and school-free fun for kids. Don’t forget the amazing opportunities kids have though, during the summer, to learn that they’re never too young to make a difference!

Just around the corner is the ultimate summer volunteer opportunity for families – Alex’s Lemonade Days! Started by childhood cancer fighter Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004) in 2004, Alex’s Lemonade Days began when Alex set her sights on raising $1 million to fight childhood cancer, including her own. Alex invited volunteers everywhere to help her by hosting their own lemonade stands and achieve her ambitious goal one dollar and one lemonade stand at a time. Through the help of these volunteers, Alex would reach her million dollar goal before losing her life to cancer in August of that year. Each June, the weekend before Father’s Day, Alex’s mission of raising $1 million returns through Alex’s Lemonade Days, when supporters everywhere contribute to a cure.

1. Host a Lemonade Stand: Join the Foundation bearing Alex’s name, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and take part in Alex’s Lemonade Days, June 12 – 14, 2015 by hosting a lemonade stand in your community. In addition to having access to a member of the Foundation’s staff to help with any lemonade stand needs, Alex’s Lemonade Days participants also receive a limited edition box while supplies last. The box consists of materials to assist in the fundraising process including: an ALSF square banner, posters, stickers, temporary tattoos, a prepaid return envelope and so much more! More info here

2. Go Social: Follow Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation on facebook, and twitter, and make sure to use #LemonadeDays to join the movement on social media. On May 28 at 12pm ET, ALSF will also host a twitter party! Follow #LemonadeDays and join in the conversation! Whether you’re hosting a lemonade stand or simply taking part in a fundraising event, the hashtag #LemonadeDays helps spread the word and gets more people involved. You can pin #LemonadeDays on pinterest too, click here!

3. Learn more about childhood cancer: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation helps raise money to fight childhood cancer and find a cure, as well as spread awareness about the number one disease killer of children under the age of 15 in the US - cancer in children occurs regularly, randomly and sparing no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographic region. Childhood cancer extends to over a dozen types of cancers and a countless amount of subtypes. Just a few of these cancer types include: Ewing’s sarcoma, glioma, leukemia, lymphoma, medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, retinoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and Wilm’s tumor. Every day, approximately 250 kids around the world die from cancer, accounting for 91,250 losing their lives to the disease every year.

Help in the battle to end childhood cancer and honor Alex’s legacy by taking part in Alex’s Lemonade Days, June 12 – 14, 2015. Get involved today!

More about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation:

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $100MM toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 475 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

Youth/Adults > It’s easy to weave service into fun Summer events and activities you already have planned:

Take part in a fundraiser or event where proceeds benefit your community, i.e. Fun Run

Volunteer with a local wildlife museum, nature center or parks department event

Share your time and talents at a Summer workday for church, childhood camp or school

Pick up a Meals on Wheels route or plant extra veggies in the garden to donate to a homeless shelter. Check out Cabot's Cheddar Cheese Fudge.

Turn your gathering into a food drive – ask for donations of canned goods at the next bbq or pool party

Get rewarded for all your GOOD work with RewardVolunteers! Reward Volunteers is a free, easy way to track the time you spend volunteering in your community and to earn rewards for your contributions. You can also amplify your good work on social media to spread the word and get friends involved. Prizes include vacations, cash, cruises and much more. Get started

I am the executive director and creator of Serving Other Souls (SOS) and a 7th grade Mathematics teacher at Franklin Regional Middle School. Serving Other Souls is a 501c3 non-profit that consists of 168 middle school students (20 percent of students at Franklin Regional Middle School belong to SOS). In the span of 3.5 years, SOS has provided funds and materials worth more than $130,000 for the needy in the Pittsburgh community.

How do you use VolunteerSpot to coordinate your parent volunteers?

SOS creates events that serve needs in our community. The majority of our volunteer jobs are intended for our middle school student-members. When we need adult volunteers, we post the specific details of the adult volunteer job, and then we use an app called cel.ly that sends text messages to all members and families that sign up for the texting app. In the cel.ly text blast, we include the URL for the volunteer job sign up for both students or parents.

Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?

It is the best volunteer website sign up app on the web! Keep up the great work!

What other activities are you involved in as a volunteer or volunteer leader?

As director of SOS, we create events for Thanksgiving food drives with shifts that run for a month both in the mornings before school or during lunch; homeless clothing drives with shifts set up in the same method. We use the volunteer app to keep track of bus sign ups as we take more than 200 students and their families to homeless shelters. These signups allow us to take role on the buses the morning of the event with printouts from your amazing website!

What’s one piece of advice you have for parent volunteers out there?

Get involved and do not think that your help does not make a difference, because I am here to tell you that everyone who helps makes a difference.

Serving others is a wrapped gift that too few people open because they are too busy or do not think they can or would make a difference. It will make a difference not only in those you are serving; it will make a difference in yourself. You will grow in virtues of empathy, fortitude, patience, and mercy. These are gifts that our world is in severe need of, so get others there and help us Serve Other Souls!!

We salute Christopher and all the other teachers and volunteers making a difference in their communities. Check out how VolunteerSpot’s Volunteer Software can save you time and stress and boost parent involvement in your school. Take a tour today!